Johnson, a senior, was injured while performing a bench-press exercise in USC's weight room below Heritage Hall. The school said an assistant strength and conditioning coach was acting as a spotter for Johnson, but the bar accidentally fell on Johnson's throat.

Dr. Gudata Hinika, trauma medical director at California Hospital Medical Center, said through a hospital spokesperson that Johnson arrived at the facility with a threatened airway that required extensive specialized surgery.

Johnson had scored five touchdowns for the seventh-ranked Trojans, who continue their Pacific 10 Conference schedule Saturday against No. 24 California at Berkeley